OSOYOOS — B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak introduced new legislation that, if passed, will add more than 11,700 hectares to B.C.’s protected areas system, including the establishment of a new Class A provincial park.
Bill 15, the Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2016, also proposes to add land or marine foreshore to five parks and one conservancy, adjust the boundary of one park, and make administrative changes to clarify park descriptions.
Additions also include 263 hectares being added to Okanagan Mountain Park on the east side of Okanagan Lake, and a 28.5 hectare increase to the Sheemahant Conservancy, a remote rainforest along B.C.’s central coast.
“Today, the traditional Okanagan nqilxwcen/nsyilxcen names for two important Okanagan First Nation cultural sites at swiws and sxwexnitkw were legally recognized in the B.C. provincial park system,” Osoyoos Indian Band chief Clarence Louie said in a statement.
“This marks the first time that the original First Nation name has legally replaced the prior English names for a provincial park. When we speak the names for swiws and sxwexnitkw, we honour and acknowledge the language of the original inhabitants of the South Okanagan. The respect and recognition shown today for our language, culture and history are a very important step toward a meaningful reconciliation between the Osoyoos Indian Band and the B.C. government.”
The creation of the Ancient Forest/Chun T’oh Wudujut Park will bring the total number of Class A provincial parks to 628, and B.C.’s protected areas system to 1,030.
“I’m proud to have supported this process from the beginning an delighted the parks now bear their traditional names,” Boundary Similkameen MLA Linda Larson said. “I congratulate the Osoyoos Indian Band on their continued successful management of swiws and sxwexnitkw parks.”